Pennytobuck's Personal Finance Blog

CoreLogic Inc. (NYSE:CLGX) released its U.S. Housing and Mortgage Trends, a report that provides data on housing sales, valuation, negative equity, shadow inventory and foreclosure activity and trends. The latest trends report from CoreLogic shows that homeownership rates for the 25 to 34 and 35 to 44 prime homebuyer age cohorts are down almost 10 percent in 2010 compared to 1980. The report also shows: Real median income for prime home-buying age segment in 2010 was at the same level as in the late 1970s.

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Crown Equity Holdings Inc. (CRWE)

Crown Equity Holdings Inc., together with its digital network, currently provides electronic media services specializing in online publishing, which brings together targeted audiences and advertisers.

Internet advertising is huge with the growth of information on it. The internet has grown with the amount of time people spend on it, which has in turn generated a new market for internet advertising. Some of the wealthiest companies in the world have made sure that they get a piece of the internet marketing pie, and for a good reason.

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Cleantech Transit Inc. (CLNO)

The definition of biomass is yet much broader; it refers to all living things or recently died substances like plant material and even cow dung, which can be used to produce fuel. The biomass stove can use woods in the forms of waste saw dust, logs and woodchips that have been compressed ignite sufficient energy to heat up.

Moreover, coal, oil and gas are enveloped in the term fossil fuel. It is used to refer to non-renewable sources of energy as it takes millions of years to form oil reservoirs and so on.

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Highlights for the third quarter of 2011 as compared to the third quarter of 2010 include:

Revenue increased 24.1% to $591.9 million

Comparable restaurant sales increased 11.3%

Restaurant level operating margin was 26.7%, a decrease of 100 basis points

Food costs were 33.1% of sales, an increase of 250 basis points driven by rising commodity costs

Net income was $60.4 million, an increase of 25.3%

Diluted earnings per share was $1.90, an increase of 25.0%




Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG) reported financial results for its third quarter ended September 30, 2011.

Revenue for the quarter was $591.9 million, up 24.1% from the prior year period. The growth in revenue was the result of new restaurants not in the comparable base and an 11.3% increase in comparable restaurant sales. Comparable restaurant sales growth was primarily driven by increased traffic in the quarter as well as the impact of menu price increases implemented between March and August.

During the quarter we opened 32 new restaurants including our new ShopHouse Southeast Asian Kitchen, bringing the total restaurant count to 1,163.

Restaurant level operating margin was 26.7% in the quarter, a decrease of 100 basis points from the prior year period. The decrease was primarily driven by food cost inflation partially offset by leverage from higher restaurant sales.

G&A costs were 6.3% of revenue, down 70 basis points from the prior year period. The decrease as a percent of revenue was driven by favorable sales leverage, and an all manager conference held during the third quarter of 2010, partially offset by an increase in non-cash stock-based compensation.

Net income for the third quarter of 2011 was $60.4 million, or $1.90 per diluted share, compared to $48.2 million, or $1.52 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2010.

Steve Ells, Founder, Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer, started Chipotle with the idea that food served fast did not have to be a typical fast food experience. Today, Chipotle continues to offer a focused menu of burritos, tacos, burrito bowls (a burrito without the tortilla) and salads made from fresh, high-quality raw ingredients, prepared using classic cooking methods and served in a distinctive atmosphere. Through our vision of Food With Integrity, Chipotle is seeking better food not only from using fresh ingredients, but ingredients that are sustainably grown and naturally raised with respect for the animals, the land, and the farmers who produce the food. Chipotle opened its first restaurant in 1993 and currently operates over 1,100 restaurants.

More about CMG at www.chipotle.com

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Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (Nasdaq:VRTX) announced the submission of a New Drug Application (NDA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for KALYDECO™ (VX-770, ivacaftor), a medicine in development that targets the defective protein that causes cystic fibrosis (CF). KALYDECO (kuh-LYE-deh-koh) was studied among people with CF ages 6 and older who have at least one copy of the G551D mutation in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. In the United States, approximately 4 percent of people with CF are estimated to have at least one copy of the G551D mutation in the CFTR gene.

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Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ:PTEN) will hold its conference call to discuss third quarter results on Thursday, October 27, 2011 at 9:00 a.m. Central Time. This call is being webcast and can be accessed through Patterson-UTI's web site at www.patenergy.com in the Investors section or at www.streetevents.com in the Individual Investor Center. Webcast participants should go to one of the web addresses above 10-15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time. Replay of the conference call webcast will be available at these sites through Thursday, November 10, 2011.

Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc., through it subsidiaries, provides onshore contract drilling services to oil and natural gas operators.

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Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc. (NASDAQ:BWLD) announced financial results for the third quarter ended September 25, 2011. Highlights for the third quarter versus the same period a year ago were: Total revenue increased 30.7% to $197.8 million Company-owned restaurant sales grew 32.2% to $181.0 million Same-store sales increased 5.7% at company-owned restaurants and 4.2% at franchised restaurants. Net earnings increased 32.5% to $11.3 million from $8.5 million, and earnings per diluted share increased 29.8% to $0.61 from $0.47.

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Crown Equity Holdings, Inc. (CRWE)

Crown Equity Holdings Inc. (CRWE) recently announced that it has entered into a joint venture to deploy VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) technology delivering voice, video and data services to residential and commercial customers. The joint venture company is Crown Tele Services Inc. which was a wholly-owned subsidiary of Crown Equity Holdings Inc. Crown Equity Holdings Inc. will own fifty percent (50%) interest in the joint venture.

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Cleantech Transit Inc. (CLNO)

Biomass includes all of the earth's living matter, plants and animals, and the remains of this living matter. Plant biomass is a renewable energy source that is produced through photosynthesis when plants capture carbon dioxide from the air and combine it with water to form carbohydrates and oxygen under the influence of sunlight. The chemical energy in plants gets passed on to animals and people that eat the plants. Biomass does not include plant or animal matter that has been converted by geologic processes to create fossil fuels such as oil or coal.

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eBay Inc. (Nasdaq:EBAY) was founded in 1995 and is headquartered in San Jose, California. eBay Inc. provides online marketplaces for the sale of goods and services, as well as other online commerce, platforms, and online payment solutions to individuals and businesses in the United States and internationally.



Global ecommerce and online payments leader eBay Inc. yesterday reported that revenue for the third quarter ended September 30, 2011, increased 32% to $3.0 billion, compared to the same period of 2010. eBay reported third quarter net income on a GAAP basis of $490.5 million, or $0.37 per diluted share, and non-GAAP net income of $628.2 million, or $0.48 per diluted share. The year-over-year increase in third quarter GAAP and non-GAAP earnings per diluted share was driven primarily by strong top-line growth, partially offset by continued investment in key strategic initiatives and the impact of acquisitions.

“Our company reported another strong quarter, with eBay, PayPal and GSI each performing well," said eBay Inc. President and CEO John Donahoe. "Mobile commerce continues to accelerate as consumers change the way they shop and pay. We expect eBay mobile commerce to generate almost $5 billion in merchandise volume this year and PayPal mobile to exceed $3.5 billion in payment volume. Mobile is one way online and offline shopping are blending into a single commerce environment. We are focused on enabling commerce, helping consumers shop anytime, anywhere, and being the commerce partner of choice for retailers of all sizes."

For more information about eBay, please visit www.ebayinc.com

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Kodiak Oil & Gas Corp. (NYSE:KOG) announced that provided an interim corporate update on recent drilling and completion activities and announced third quarter 2011 oil and gas sales volumes. Interim Drilling and Completion Operations Update. The Company took delivery of its fifth operated rig in early October. Kodiak's five operated drilling rigs are presently drilling ahead on multi-well drilling pads, with three rigs in McKenzie County, N.D. and two in Dunn County, N.D.

Kodiak Oil & Gas Corp. engages in the acquisition, exploration, exploitation, development, and production of natural gas and crude oil in the United States.

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Crown Equity Holdings Inc. (CRWE)

Crown Equity Holdings Inc., together with its digital network, currently provides electronic media services specializing in online publishing, which brings together targeted audiences and advertisers.

Crown Equity Holdings Inc. offers internet media-driven advertising services, which covers and connects a range of marketing specialties, as well as search engine optimization for clients interested in online media awareness.

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MGIC Investment Corporation (NYSE:MTG) has announced plans to release its 3rd quarter 2011 financial results before the market opens on Friday, October 21, 2011. A conference call/webcast has been scheduled for Friday, October 21, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time to allow securities analysts and shareholders the opportunity to hear Management discuss the Company's results for the quarter ended September 30, 2011. To attend the webcast, go to http://mtg.mgic.com.

MGIC Investment Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides private mortgage insurance to the home mortgage lending industry.

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M/I Homes, Inc. (NYSE:MHO) announced the following Webcast: M/I Homes, Inc. Announces Third Quarter Earnings Webcast, October 27, 2011 @ 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time, http://www.mihomes.com, Live over the Internet Simply log on to the web at the address above. If interested parties are unable to participate during the live webcast, the call will be archived on the Web site http://www.mihomes.com.

M/I Homes, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engage in the construction and sale of single-family residential properties.

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Crown Equity Holdings Inc. (CRWE)

Crown Equity Holdings Inc., together with its digital network, currently provides electronic media services specializing in online publishing, which brings together targeted audiences and advertisers.

The most appealing aspect of internet marketing is that you can take an idea that you have and experiment with it without spending a great deal of money. If you want to set up a traditional business you have the initial expense of premises, rent, heating, inventory and staff. You then may have to work long hours to ensure that your business is successful.

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Argan, Inc. (AMEX:AGX) provides its telecommunications infrastructure services to federal government, and telecommunications and broadband service providers, as well as electric utilities. The telecommunications infrastructure services of Argan also consist of trenchless directional boring and excavation for underground communication and power networks; aerial cabling services; and the installation of buried cable, high and low voltage electric lines, and private area outdoor lighting systems.



Argan, Inc. announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Gemma Power Systems (GPS), has signed an engineer-procure-construct (EPC) contract with East Texas Electric Cooperative, Inc. (ETEC) for an approximately $165 million contract to design and build a 49.9 MW, biomass-fired power plant near Woodville, Texas. The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) must issue its approval of the contract and issue its Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the project prior to full effectiveness of the contract.

GPS has received a limited release to start critical planning and early engineering activities with a full release expected no later than Spring 2012. The project is estimated to be completed in December 2014. Rainer Bosselmann, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Argan, stated, “We are pleased to assist in meeting the electricity demands of the citizens of East Texas and ETEC’s member cooperatives. We look forward to working with ETEC toward the successful, on-time completion of this important project.”

Argan was founded in 1961 and is headquartered in Rockville, Maryland. Argan, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides development, consulting, engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, operations, and maintenance services to the power generation and renewable energy markets for public utilities, independent power project owners, municipalities, public institutions, and private industry.

The telecommunications infrastructure services of Argan include structuring, cabling, terminations, and connectivity that provide the physical transport for high speed data, voice, video, and security networks, as well as inside plant and premises wiring services comprising AutoCAD design; cable installation; equipment room, and telecom closet design and build-out; data rack and cabinet installation; raceway design and installation; and cable identification, testing, labeling, and documentation services.

For more information about Argan, please visit http://www.arganinc.com

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Cleco Corp. (NYSE:CNL) announced that it has reached agreements with a 10-member bank group led by JPMorgan Chase & Co. to amend its credit facilities at Cleco Corp. and Cleco Power LLC. Cleco currently has two revolving senior unsecured credit facilities - one at Cleco Corp. for $200 million and one at Cleco Power for $300 million.

Cleco Corporation operates as a utility holding company in Louisiana. The company, through its subsidiary, Cleco Power, engages in the generation, transmission, distribution, and sale of electricity to approximately 279,000 customers in 108 communities in central and southeastern Louisiana.

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The Howard Hughes Corporation (NYSE:HHC) announced the addition of two new board members and the resignation of David Arthur. Mary Ann Tighe, currently Chief Executive Officer of CBRE's New York Tri-State Region, has joined the board along with Burton M. Tansky, currently Non-Executive Chairman of The Neiman Marcus Group, and its former CEO for more than six years. David Arthur resigned from The Howard Hughes Board to focus on his role as Managing Partner in the Real Estate Investments, North American division for Brookfield Asset Management.

The Howard Hughes Corporation is a real estate investment and development company, engaging in managing, developing, and leasing commercial, residential, and mixed-use real estate.

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J. C. Penney Company, Inc. (NYSE:JCP) announced that it has reached an asset purchase agreement with Liz Claiborne Inc. (NYSE:LIZ). Under this agreement, the Company will acquire the worldwide rights for the Liz Claiborne family of brands as well as the U.S. and Puerto Rico rights for the Monet brand for $267.5 million.

J. C. Penney Company, Inc., through its subsidiary, J. C. Penney Corporation, Inc., operates department stores in the United States and Puerto Rico.

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Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. (NYSE:HII) will release its third quarter 2011 financial results on Thursday, Nov. 10 and host an earnings conference call at 9 a.m. Eastern the same day. The call will be webcast live on HII's website: http://www.huntingtoningalls.com. HII participants will include Mike Petters, president and chief executive officer, and Barbara A. Niland, corporate vice president, business management, and chief financial officer.

Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. designs, builds, and maintains nuclear and non-nuclear ships for the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard.

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Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY) will announce financial results for the third quarter of 2011 on Thursday, October 27, 2011. During a conference call at 10:30 a.m. EDT on October 27, company executives will review financial information and will address inquiries from investors and analysts. Investors and the general public are invited to listen to a live webcast of the call at http://investor.bms.com or by dialing 913-312-6687, confirmation code: 4909111.

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Cleantech Transit Inc. (CLNO)

Cleantech Transit, Inc. (CLNO) is pleased to announce it has met its funding requirement to secure the Company's ability to earn in 25% of the 500KW Merced Project.

The Company is in the final stages of closing its initial interest in the Merced Project and is currently working on completing the necessary documentation and expects closing the transaction soon. As previously announced Cleantech has the option to earn up to 40% of the Merced Project and the Company plans to continue to work towards increasing its interest in the Merced Project as they move ahead.

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Spectra Energy Partners, LP (NYSE:SEP) will announce its third quarter 2011 earnings results before the market opens on Friday, November 4, and will hold an analyst conference call at 9 a.m. CT that same day. The webcast can be accessed via the Investor Relations section of Spectra Energy Partners' website, or the conference call can be accessed by dialing 888-252-3715 in the United States or 706-634-8942 outside the United States. The conference ID is 17747581.

Spectra Energy Corp, through its subsidiaries, engages in the ownership and operation of a portfolio of complementary natural gas-related energy assets in the United States and Canada.

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Crown Equity Holdings Inc. (CRWE)

Crown Equity Holdings Inc., together with its digital network, currently provides electronic media services specializing in online publishing, which brings together targeted audiences and advertisers.

With the fast development of information technology, the dependence on the Internet for seeking information has increased considerably. This results are in a form of endorsement known as Internet advertising.Several reasons have fallen on the fact why a company needs to advertise its products and services on Internet.

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Oasis Petroleum Inc. (NYSE:OAS) announced that the lenders under its revolving credit agreement completed their regular semi-annual redetermination of the borrowing base, resulting in an increase to the borrowing base from $137.5 million to $350 million. In addition, the interest rate under the Oasis credit agreement was reduced and now ranges from LIBOR plus 150 bps to LIBOR plus 250 bps depending on borrowing base utilization. The maturity date was extended from February 26, 2015 to October 6, 2016. The size of its revolving credit facility increased from $600 million to $1 billion. As of September 30, 2011, Oasis had no outstanding indebtedness under its revolving credit facility. The next redetermination of the borrowing base is scheduled for April 1, 2012.

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Astrotech Corporation (NASDAQ:ASTC)

ASTC is one of the first space commerce companies and remains a strong entrepreneurial force in the aerospace industry. They are leaders in identifying, developing and marketing space technology for commercial use. Their ASO business unit serves our government and commercial satellite and spacecraft customers with pre-launch services on the eastern and western range. 1st Detect Corporation is developing what they believe is a breakthrough Miniature Chemical Detector, while Astrogenetix, Inc. is a biotechnology company utilizing microgravity as a research platform for drug discovery and development.

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Accelrys, Inc. (NASDAQ:ACCL) announced a strategic collaboration with The Edge Software Consultancy Ltd. to offer new assay, study management and analysis software solutions that improve R&D efficiency and productivity for biopharmaceutical organizations engaged in early-stage screening through ADME, DMPK, pharmacology and in vivo experimentation.

Accelrys, Inc. develops and commercializes scientific informatics software products and services for industries and organizations that rely on scientific innovation to differentiate themselves in the marketplace.

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MGP Ingredients, Inc. (Nasdaq:MGPI) announced that the company will host a webcast of its Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held Thursday, October 20, 2011 beginning at 10:00 a.m. (central time) at the Presbyterian Community Center, Atchison, Kansas. Persons may listen to the annual meeting and view a simultaneous presentation live via a link on the homepage of the company's website, www.mgpingredients.com.

MGP Ingredients, Inc. produces and sells distillery and ingredients products in the United States, Japan, Canada, Europe, and internationally. It processes corn and wheat flour into various products through an integrated production process.

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First Financial Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq:FFCH) announced that the company will host a conference call for institutional investors and analysts on Friday, October 28, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss its financial results. The conference call will coincide with the news release announcing fiscal fourth quarter earnings which will be distributed after the market close on Thursday, October 27, 2011. A live webcast of the presentation will be available at www.firstfinancialholdings.com.

First Financial Holdings, Inc. operates as the holding company for First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Charleston that provides financial services to individuals and businesses.

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Cleantech Transit Inc. (CLNO)

Wind is a powerful source of energy which, for centuries, has been harnessed for different uses. More and more scientists and researchers consider that wind can be used effectively as a clean renewable energy source. But this can only be done when power within the moving air is harnessed properly.

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